Multiband-operation in wireless communication systems

ABSTRACT

A method and wireless communication network that employs adapted control channel information to facilitate centralized and distributed scheduling of network resources for a network with mobile communication devices of differing bandwidth capabilities are described. The method includes transmitting control channel data of a first format over a control channel, wherein the control channel data of the first format conveys information related to data transmitted within a first frequency band and transmitting control channel data of a second format over the control channel, wherein the control channel data of the second format conveys information related to data transmitted over one or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands having a combined bandwidth equal or greater than the first frequency band.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Implementing the next generation of mobile communication standards willrequire improving system capacity and spectral efficiency in order toincrease data transmission rate beyond current levels. For example, LongTerm Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) is a current topic focused ontechnologies to further evolve the Long Term Evolution (LTE) airinterface in terms of spectral efficiency, cell edge throughput,coverage, and latency. In addition to improving the LTE air interface,another important consideration is designing a communication systemcompatible with both LTE and LTE-A equipment.

For example, LTE networks employ packet-scheduling, which dynamicallyallocates resources to mobile communication device through time andfrequency domain scheduling over a shared physical control channel.Current LTE networks, however, are unable to support mobilecommunication device having higher bandwidth capabilities than LTEmobile communication device. Thus, a network capable of supportingmobile communication device with different bandwidth capabilities isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide methods, wireless communicationnetworks, and base stations that transmit control channel data of afirst format over a control channel, wherein the control channel data ofthe first format conveys information related to data transmitted withina first frequency band and transmit control channel data over thecontrol channel of a second format, wherein the control channel data ofthe second format conveys information related to data transmitted overone or more frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands having acombined bandwidth equal or greater than the first frequency band.

Embodiments further provide an apparatus comprising a transceiver, aprocessor, and a memory unit communicatively connected to the processor.The memory unit includes computer code that when executed by theprocessor causes the wireless communication device to receive andinterpret control channel data, wherein the control channel dataincludes a carrier frequency field and a physical resource block field.

These and other features of the invention will be better understood whentaken in view of the following drawings and a detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarilyto scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating theprinciples of the invention. In the following description, variousembodiments of the invention are described with reference to thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows an example frame structure for use with embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 1B shows an example physical resource block for use withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an example message scheduling chart for use withembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show, respectively, control channel data structure inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an architectural overview of an example networkarchitecture in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an uplink and downlink frequency distribution in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show, respectively, message sequence charts formultiband-operation in an LTE-A communication system in accordance withan embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example architecture for a wirelesscommunication device for use with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

As detailed below, embodiments of the invention provide adapting controlchannel information to facilitate centralized and distributed schedulingof network resources for a network with mobile communication devices ofdiffering bandwidth capabilities.

Example network interfaces for use with embodiments of the invention,LTE and LTE-A support multiple access methods for uplink transmissions(from mobile communication device to base station) and downlinktransmissions (from base station to mobile communication device). Fordownlink transmission, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access(OFDMA) in combination with Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) hasbeen selected for Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long TermEvolution (LTE) air interface. OFDMA in combination with TDMA(OFDMA/TDMA) is a multicarrier, multiple access method in which a mobilecommunication device (MCD), such as a mobile telephone, is provided witha defined number of subcarriers in the frequency spectrum for a definedtransmission time for the purpose of data transmission. That is, a MCDis assigned network resources in both the frequency and time domain.Uplink data transmission is based on Single Carrier Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (SC-FDMA) in combination with TDMA.

LTE and LTE-A also support the following duplexing methods: TDD,full-duplex FDD and half-duplex FDD. Full-duplex FDD uses two separatefrequency bands for uplink and downlink transmissions such as media dataor control information. Full-duplex FDD allows for uplink and downlinktransmissions to occur simultaneously. Half-duplex FDD also uses twoseparate frequency bands for uplink and downlink transmissions, buttransmissions do not overlap in time. TDD uses the same frequency bandfor both uplink and downlink transmissions. Although embodiments aredescribed below in a full-duplex FDD environment, half-duplex FDD andTDD implementations are within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1A shows an example frame structure for use with embodiments of theinvention. Frame structure 100 is applicable to full-duplex FDD,half-duplex FDD, OFDMA, and SC-FDMA. Each radio frame 102 is 10 ms longand consists of 20 slots 104 of length 0.5 ms, numbered from 0 to 19.Subframe 106 is defined as two consecutive slots. For FDD, 10 subframesare available for downlink and uplink transmission in each 10 msinterval. Depending on the slot format, a slot 104 consists of 6 or 7OFDMA symbols in downlink transmission and 6 or 7 SC-FDMA symbols inuplink transmissions. The OFDMA and SC-FDMA symbols contain data as wellas control information assigning network resources to a user.

FIG. 1B shows an example resource block for use with embodiments of theinvention. Physical resource block 120 is the smallest unit ofallocation assigned by a base station or relay node for transmittinguplink or downlink data. Downlink physical resource block 120 includes amatrix of 12 subcarriers 110 by 6 or 7 OFDM symbols 108. A resourceelement 112 corresponds to one OFDM symbol and one subcarrier. A typicaltransmission in an LTE network will include multiples of 12 subcarriersbeing simultaneously transmitted, and thus many resource blocks are alsobeing transmitted simultaneously.

In some embodiments, an eNodeB signals the allocation of physical radioresources for data transmission on a Downlink Shared Channel (DL-SCH)and an Uplink Shared Channel (UL-SCH), through a control channel. Asused herein, a control channel is a communication channel that carriesat least control information. Examples of control information include,but are not limited to, number of allocated resource blocks in thefrequency domain, modulation and coding scheme, transmit power controlcommands, Hybrid Automatic Repeat ReQuest process number, and PositiveAcknowledgements/Negative Acknowledgements (HARQ ACK/NAK). Schedulingand data transport between MCD and a base station or a relay node in anLTE or LTE-A network occur over physical channels.

The Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) carries user and control dataon a UL-SCH transport channel. Resources for the PUSCH are allocated ona sub-frame basis.

The Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) is a physical channel only.That is, no logical or transport channels are mapped to this channel. Itcarries the control information such as Hybrid Automatic Repeat ReQuestPositive Acknowledgements/Negative Acknowledgements (HARQ ACK/NAK) inresponse to downlink transmissions on PDSCH.

The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is used mostly for data andmultimedia transport by carrying user and control data on DL-SCH. Itoccupies the OFDMA symbols in a subframe not occupied by PhysicalDownlink Control Channel.

The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries the controlinformation related to downlink transmissions such as resourceallocation of DL-SCH. It also carries the control information related touplink transmissions such as resource allocation of UL-SCH and TransmitPower Control commands for PUCCH and PUSCH. Due to the different typesof control information to be transmitted over the PDCCH, the controlinformation has been grouped into so-called downlink control information(DCI) formats. For example, a PDCCH with DCI format 0 is used for thescheduling resources for the PUSCH.

In some embodiments, the PDCCH is used by an eNodeB to inform the MCDabout the resource allocation of PUSCH and PDSCH. The MCD can determinewhether the resource allocation is intended for it or not by detectingits implicitly encoded identity. In LTE a number of PDCCH formats, alsoreferred to as DCI formats, have been specified. The payload size foreach DCI format is variable and depends mainly on the cell bandwidth.

Table 1 shows some examples of the DCI formats.

TABLE 1 DCI formats used for scheduling PUSCH and PDSCH in FDD Payloadsize PDCCH formats Purpose (FDD) DCI format 0 PUSCH scheduling Range: 19. . . 27 bits DCI format 1 Scheduling of one PDSCH codeword Range: 24 .. . 42 bits DCI format 1A Compact scheduling of one PDSCH codewordRange: 21 . . . 29 bits DCI format 1B Compact scheduling of one PDSCHcodeword with Range: 22 . . . 32 bits precoding information DCI format1C Very compact scheduling of one PDSCH codeword Range: 8 . . . 15 bitsDCI format 1D Compact scheduling of one PDSCH codeword with Range: 22 .. . 32 bits precoding and power offset information DCI format 2 PDSCHscheduling in closed-loop spatial multiplexing Range: 28 . . . 57 bitsmode DCI format 2A PDSCH scheduling in open-loop spatial multiplexingRange: 25 . . . 53 bits mode

FIG. 2 shows an example message scheduling chart for use withembodiments of the invention. Base station 202 transmits over PDCCH 206to MCD 204 at Subframe #i indicating that the base station will transmitdata over PDSCH 208 intended for MCD 204. Once the data has beenreceived from PDSCH 208, a HARQ ACK/NAK is required to be transmitted byMCD 204 at Subframe #i+4 over the PUCCH 212. At Subframe #i+1, basestation 202 transmits over PDCCH 210 with DCI format 0 to MCD 204indicating to MCD 204 to adjust PUSCH 214 transmission scheduled forsubframe #i+5.

The PDCCH formats as currently specified for LTE, however, cannot beapplied to LTE-A as they do not support the resource allocation ofbandwidths larger than 20 MHz. LTE-A requires resource allocation ofbandwidths larger than 20 MHz, for example up to 100 MHz of bandwidth.

FIG. 3A shows control channel data structure 300 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Physical resource allocation informationelement 302 includes information as to which carrier frequencies (CFs)are to be used in an uplink or downlink transmission and the number ofphysical resource blocks (PRBs) allocated to each carrier frequency.These two elements enable an LTE-A network to assign PRBs over multiplecarrier frequencies to an LTE-A MCD. MCD ID element 304 includes anidentification number of a MCD. Payload size element 306 includestransport block size. Modulation scheme element 308 includes informationabout which modulation scheme will be used, e.g., Quadrature Phase-ShiftKeying (QPSK), 16-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), 64-QAM. HARQinformation element 310 is implemented to send positive acknowledgement(ACK) or negative acknowledgement (NAK) signals, indicating whether aMCD received valid data or not.

Thus, one embodiment of the invention adapts the PDCCH structure tofacilitate scheduling LTE and LTE-A MCDs. The physical resourceallocation information element of PDCCH formats are adapted to includeinformation about the carrier frequency assigned to the LTE-A MCD inuplink or downlink transmission and the number of resource blocksallocated in each associated frequency band.

FIG. 3B shows control channel data structure 320 in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, controlchannel data structure 320 is a PDCCH. Control channel data structure320 shares elements 302-310 (i.e., physical resource allocationinformation element 302, MCD ID element 304, payload size element 306,modulation scheme element 308, and HARQ information element 310) withcontrol channel data structure 300, but also includes RF transmission(for uplink) and/or RF reception (for downlink) bandwidth capabilitiesof an LTE-A MCD at element 312. Element 312 allows an LTE-A network toimplement a distributed scheduling of network resources. That is, bothbase stations and relay nodes may allocate network resources to MCDssince a bandwidth capability of a MCD is known by the network.

It will be understood that although specific control channel datastructures were recited in describing FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIGS. 3A and 3Bare only two possible configurations within the scope of the inventionand that there may be many variations or additions to thisconfiguration. For example, carrier frequency and physical resourceblock information may be contained in separate element blocks and not inPhysical resource allocation information element 302.

FIG. 4 shows an architectural overview of an example networkarchitecture in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Network400 includes base station 404, which provides coverage for cell 402. Insome embodiments, base station 404 is an LTE-Advanced eNodeB. Basestation 404 supports direct connections with LTE MCDs 406 and LTE-A MCDs408. Relay nodes 410 and 412, sometimes referred to as NodeRs, may bedeployed in the cell for providing additional coverage at cell-edge orcoverage holes. Relay nodes 410 and 412 may include a process and amemory unit. LTE MCD 407 and LTE-A MCD 409 communicate with base station404 via uplink and downlink transmissions through the intermediate relaynodes 410 and 412.

The scheduling of uplink and downlink transmissions for LTE MCDs 406 and407 may be performed by base station 404 applying an LTE physicalcontrol channel structure, as described in detail above in Table 1. Butfor scheduling transmissions for LTE-Advanced MCDs 408 and 409, currentLTE physical control channel structures cannot be applied and need to bemodified. Current LTE physical control channel structures do not supportbandwidths larger than 20 MHz, flexible spectrum usage, or spectrumsharing, all of which an LTE-A MCD and network may be capable of.

Moreover, the scheduling of uplink and downlink transmissions for MCDs407 and 409 may be performed by relay nodes 410 and 412. For example,relaying or multi-hop communication is one way to improve the coverage,throughput, and capacity for existing and future cellular communicationsystems at low deployment costs. In a multi-hop embodiment, relay nodes410 and 412 are deployed in the coverage area of the macro cell 402 forproviding additional coverage at cell edge or coverage holes. In someembodiments, relay nodes 410 and 412 are adapted to function like a basestation for MCDs 407 and 409 and/or adapted to function like a MCD forbase station 404.

In one embodiment, base station 404 is an LTE-A eNodeB, which supportsdirect connections with LTE MCD 406 and LTE-A MCD 408. Further,connections with LTE MCD 407 and LTE-A MCD 409 are supported throughrelay nodes 410 and 412, respectively.

In some embodiments, LTE MCD 406 and LTE MCD 407 support a maximum RFtransmission/reception bandwidth of 20 MHz and operate only in 20 MHzuplink and downlink bandwidths.

In some embodiments, LTE-A MCD 408 and LTE-A MCD 409 support a maximumRF transmission/reception bandwidth of 60 MHz and operate in a combined25 MHz uplink band. In some embodiments, LTE-A MCD 408 and LTE-A MCD 409operate in an overall 65 MHz downlink band. In some embodiments, thePDCCHs are transmitted in a frequency band shared by all MCDs (LTE MCD406, LTE MCD 407, LTE-A MCD 408, and LTE-A MCD 409).

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention encompass severaltypes of relay nodes, which are categorized according to thefunctionality, mobility, and processing capabilities of the relay node.

A relay node may be categorized by the protocol layers the relay affectswhen relaying a signal, An L1 relay sends an amplified copy of itsreceived signal and thus only affects the physical layer of an LTE orLTE-A network. An L2 relay receives and decodes signals up to an L2protocol level and transmits a re-encoded signal. Thus, an L2 relayaffects the physical layer and L2 protocol layers (e.g. MAC and RLC). AnL3 relay affects the physical, L2, and L3 protocol layers and receivesand forwards IP packets.

A relay node may be also categorized according to the mobility of therelay node. A Fixed Relay Node is permanently installed at a fixedlocation. A Nomadic Relay Node is intended to function from a locationthat is fixed for only periods of time. A Mobile Relay node is designedto function while in motion.

A relay node may also be classified as an Infrastructure Relay Node or aUE Relay Node.

As the above classifications illustrate, incorporating relayingfunctionality into the LTE-A system impacts both MCD and base stations.One issue is the scheduling of physical radio resources for uplink anddownlink transmission. For example, in a distributed scheduling scheme,the resource allocation is determined by a relay node in cooperationwith a base station. That is, the relay node is able to change and adaptthe resource allocation in the frequency and/or time domain if required.The PDCCH. formats as currently specified for LTE cannot support adistributed scheduling mode in an LTE-A network.

Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, the PDCCH structure is adaptedto include the RF transmission and reception capability of LTE-A MCDs.Distributed scheduling between base stations and relay stations issupported by such a PDCCH structure because a relay station will be ableto change and adapt network resources in ways that are within the RFtransmission and reception capability of an LTE-A MCD. The physicalresource allocation information element of PDCCH formats are adapted toinclude information about the RE transmission/reception bandwidthcapability of an LTE-Advanced MCD, information about the carrierfrequency assigned to the MCD in uplink and downlink transmission, andthe number of resource blocks allocated in the associated frequencyband.

FIG. 5 shows an uplink and downlink frequency distribution in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, an LTE-A radiocell operates in full-duplex FDD mode. For uplink transmission of anLTE-A MCD, an overall 25 MHz is allocated with two adjacent frequencybands 502 and 504 with respective carrier frequencies f1 and f2. Fordownlink transmission of an LTE-A MCD, an overall 65 MHz are allocatedconsisting of four frequency bands: two adjacent bands 506 and 508 withrespective carrier frequencies f3 and f4, and two non-adjacent bands 510and 512 with respective carrier frequencies f5 and f6. For uplinktransmission of an LTE MCD, 20 MHz is allocated via frequency band 504with carrier frequency f2. For downlink transmission of an LTE MCD, 20MHz is allocated via frequency band 506 with carrier frequency f3.

Although LTE MCDs and LTE-A MCDs operate over different bandwidths,downlink control information, PDCCH for example, is transmitted over thefrequency band that both types of MCDs use, frequency band 506. Thisenables an LTE-A network to be backwards compatible with LTE MCD.

It will be understood that although specific frequency bands, bandwidth,and number of frequency bands were recited in describing FIG. 5, FIG. 5is one possible configuration within the scope of the invention and thatthere may be many variations or additions to this configuration.Variations within the scope of the invention include, but are notlimited to, frequency bands larger or smaller than 5 MHz and 20 MHz,control channel information being transmitted over multiple carrierfrequencies, and a total number of carrier frequencies being more orfewer than six.

FIG. 6A shows a message sequence chart for multiband-operation in anLTE-A communication system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. At 608, eNodeB 602 transmits PDCCH format 1 in a subframeover a 20 MHz frequency band for the downlink scheduling of LTE MCD 604.PDCCH format 1 allocates a definite number of resource blocks for thePDSCH within a 20 MHz frequency band. Upon detection of PDCCH format 1in the first OFDMA symbols of the subframe, LTE MCD 604 adjusts theassociated PDSCH reception in the remaining OFDMA symbols of thesubframe according to the received PDCCH format 1 information.Adjustments may include modulation and coding scheme and HARQ processnumber.

At 610, eNodeB 602 transmits LTE-A PDCCH format 1, formatted inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, over the same 20 MHzfrequency band for the downlink scheduling of LTE-A MCD 606. LTE-A PDCCHformat 1 allocates a definite number of resource blocks for the PDSCHwithin downlink frequency bands with respective carrier frequencies f3,f4, and f5, as follows: Carrier frequency f3: N1 resource blocks;Carrier frequency f4: N2 resource blocks; Carrier frequency f5: N3resource blocks.

Upon detection of LTE-A PDCCH format 1 in the first OFDMA symbols of thesubframe, LTE-A MCD 606 adjusts the associated PDSCH reception in theremaining OFDMA symbols of the subframe according to the received PDCCHformat 1 information.

FIG. 6B shows a message sequence chart for multiband-operation in anLTE-A communication system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The downlink scheduling of LTE MCD 616 and LTE-A MCD 618 ispartly conducted through intermediate NodeRs 612 and 614. In thisembodiment, NodeR2 614 is able to adapt, in the frequency and/or timedomains, resource allocation transmissions.

At 620, eNodeB 611 transmits PDCCH format 1 over a 20 MHz frequency bandto NodeR1 612 for the downlink scheduling of LTE MCD 616. PDCCH format 1allocates a definite number of resource blocks RBs for the PDSCH withinthe 20 MHz frequency band. At 624, NodeR1 612 forwards the receivedPDCCH format 1 to LTE-MCD 616. Upon detection of PDCCH format 1 in thefirst OFDMA symbols of the subframe, LTE MCD 616 adjusts the associatedPDSCH reception in the remaining OFDMA symbols of the subframe accordingto the received PDCCH format 1 information.

At 622, eNodeB 611 transmits LTE-A PDCCH format 4 to NodeR2 614 over thesame 20 MHz frequency band for the downlink scheduling of LTE-A MCD 618.LTE-A PDCCH format 4 is formatted in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

LTE-A PDCCH format 4 allocates a definite number of resource blocks forthe PDSCH within downlink frequency bands with respective carrierfrequencies f3, f4, and f5, as follows: Carrier frequency f3: N1resource blocks; Carrier frequency f4: N2 resource blocks; Carrierfrequency f5: N3 resource blocks. In addition, the RFtransmission/reception bandwidth capability of LTE-A MCD 618, expressedas T MHz, is also included with LTE-A PDCCH format 4.

NodeR2 614 receives the PDCCH format 4 information and adapts theresource allocation, due to, for example, temporary bad channelconditions in frequency bands with respective carrier frequencies of f3and f4. Another example for adaption the resource allocation is toevenly distribute the traffic load over all available carrierfrequencies for reducing signal processing efforts at the transmitterand receiver. An example adaption by NodeR2 may then be as follows:Carrier frequency f5: M1 resource blocks; Carrier frequency f6: M2resource blocks. At 626, NodeR2 614 transmits the adapted resourceallocation on LTE-A PDCCH format 1 to LTE-A MCD 618.

Upon detection of LTE-A PDCCH format 1 in the first OFDMA symbols of thesubframe, LTE-A MCD 618 adjusts the associated PDSCH reception in theremaining OFDMA symbols of the subframe according to the received PDCCHformat 1 information.

It will be understood that although a specific number of frequency bandswere recited in describing FIG. 6, it is only one possible configurationwithin the scope of the invention and that there may be many variationsor additions to this configuration. For example, a relay node maytransmit data more or fewer than six carrier frequencies. Further, arelay node may be able to transmit both PDCCH format 1 and LTE-A PDCCHformat 1.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example architecture for wirelesscommunication device 700 (WCD). As used herein, a wireless communicationdevice is a device capable of receiving and/or transmitting signals overa wireless communication network. Examples include, but are not limitedto, base stations, eNodeBs, relay stations, NodeRs, and mobile phones.WCD 700 includes processor 702, memory 704, transceiver 706, and networkinterface 708, connected by bus 710. In some embodiments, memory 704 mayinclude random access memory 712, such as conventional DRAM, andnon-volatile memory 714, such as conventional flash memory, for storingthe firmware that operates WCD 700, as well as other parameters andsettings that should be retained by WCD 700.

Transceiver 706 includes antenna 716, which is used for communicationwirelessly with one or more MCDs and/or WCDs. In some embodiments, forexample eNodeBs and NodeRs, network interface 708 connects the WCD 700to the core network, and may be a conventional wired network interface,such as a DSL interface, an Ethernet interface, or a USB interface thatconnects to an external computer or network interface device forconnection to the core network. Alternatively, network interface 708 maybe a wireless network interface that communicates with the core networkvia a wireless local-area network, a wireless metropolitan area network,or a wireless wide area network.

It will be understood that the architecture shown in FIG. 7 is only onepossible architecture for WCD 700, and that there may be many variationsor additions to the architecture. For example, WCD 700 may include I/Odevices, such as a display (not shown), a smart card interface, and asmart card (not shown), to verify that WCD 700 is authorized foroperation, or a variety of indicator lights or LEDs (not shown), toindicate the current status of WCD 700.

In summary, an embodiment of the invention provides a method oftransmitting data in a communication system that transmit controlchannel data of a first format over a control channel, wherein thecontrol channel data of the first format conveys information related todata transmitted within a first frequency band. The method furthertransmits control channel data of a second format over the controlchannel, wherein the control channel data of the second format conveysinformation related to data transmitted over one or more frequencybands, the one or more frequency bands having a combined bandwidth equalor greater than the first frequency band.

In some embodiments, the one or more frequency bands include the firstfrequency band. In some embodiments, the control channel data of thefirst format is transmitted over the control channel with a firstbandwidth, and the control channel data of the second format istransmitted over the control channel with the first bandwidth.

In some embodiments, the control channel data of the first format istransmitted over the control channel with a first carrier frequency, andthe control channel data of the second format is transmitted over thecontrol channel with the first carrier frequency.

In some embodiments, the control channel data of the first format istransmitted over the control channel with a first bandwidth, and thecontrol channel data of the second format is transmitted over thecontrol channel with a second bandwidth the second bandwidth being equalor greater than the first bandwidth.

In some embodiments, the control channel data of the first format istransmitted over the control channel with a first carrier frequency, andthe control channel data of the second format is transmitted over thecontrol channel with a second carrier frequency, the second carrierfrequency being a different frequency than the first carrier frequency.

In some embodiments, the control channel data of the second formatincludes a carrier frequency field, the carrier frequency field beingindicative of one or more carrier frequencies to be used in atransmission, and a physical resource block field, the physical resourceblock field being indicative of a number of physical resource blocksallocated to each one or more carrier frequencies to be used in thetransmission.

In some embodiments, the control channel data of the second formatincludes a mobile communication device bandwidth field, the mobilecommunication device bandwidth field being indicative of a radiofrequency transmission and/or reception bandwidth capability of a mobilecommunication device.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a wireless communicationnetwork, the wireless communication network including a first mobilecommunication device, the first mobile communication device operatingover a first frequency band, a second mobile communication device, thesecond mobile communication device operating over one or more frequencybands, the one or more frequency bands having a combined bandwidth equalor greater than the first frequency band, a base station. The basestation is configured to transmit control channel data of a first formatover a control channel, wherein the control channel data of the firstformat conveys information related to data transmitted within the firstfrequency band. The base station is further configured to transmitcontrol channel data of a second format over the control channel,wherein the control channel data of the second format conveysinformation related to data transmitted over the one or more frequencybands.

In some embodiments the one or more frequency bands includes the firstfrequency band. In some embodiments, the base station is furtherconfigured to transmit control channel data of the first format over thecontrol channel with a first bandwidth, and transmit control channeldata of the second format over the control channel with the firstbandwidth.

In some embodiments the base station is further configured to transmitcontrol channel data of the first format over the control channel with afirst carrier frequency, and transmit control channel data of the secondformat over the control channel with the first carrier frequency.

In some embodiments, the base station is further configured to transmitcontrol channel data of the first format over the control channel with afirst bandwidth, and transmit control channel data of the second formatover the control channel with a second bandwidth, the second bandwidthbeing equal or greater than the first bandwidth.

In some embodiments the base station is further configured to transmitcontrol channel data of the first format over the control channel with afirst carrier frequency, and transmit control channel data of the secondformat over the control channel with a second carrier frequency, thesecond carrier frequency being a different frequency than the firstcarrier frequency.

In some embodiments, the information related to data transmitted overthe one or more frequency bands includes a carrier frequency field, thecarrier frequency field being indicative of one or more carrierfrequencies to be used in a transmission, and a physical resource blockfield, the physical resource block field being indicative of a number ofphysical resource blocks allocated to each one or more carrierfrequencies to be used in the transmission.

In some embodiments, the information related to data transmitted overthe one or more frequency bands further includes a mobile communicationdevice bandwidth field, the mobile communication device bandwidth fieldbeing indicative of a radio frequency transmission and/or receptionbandwidth capability of the second mobile communication device.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication network further includesa relay node. In some embodiments, the relay node is configured toreceive control channel data of the second format, decode controlchannel data of the second format, reconfigure control channel data ofthe second format, wherein the reconfiguration alters the informationrelated to data transmitted over the one or more frequency bands,re-encode control channel data of the second format, and transmit thecontrol channel data of the second format.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a base station fortransmitting control channels in a communication system. The basestation is configured to generate control channel data of a firstformat, wherein the control channel data of the first format conveysinformation related to data to be transmitted within a first frequencyband. The base station is further configured to generate control channeldata of a second format, wherein the control channel data of the secondformat conveys information related to data to be transmitted over one ormore frequency bands, the one or more frequency bands having a combinedbandwidth equal or greater than the first frequency band. The basestation is further configured to transmit control channel data of thefirst and second format over a control channel and transmit data inconformance with the control channel data of the first and secondformat.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a wireless communicationdevice including a transceiver, a processor, and a memory unitcommunicatively connected to the processor. The memory unit includescomputer code that when executed by the processor causes the wirelesscommunication device to receive control channel data, and computer codethat when executed by the processor causes the wireless communicationdevice to dynamically interpret the control channel data. The controlchannel data includes a carrier frequency field, the carrier frequencyfield being indicative of one or more carrier frequencies to be used ina transmission and a physical resource block field, the physicalresource block field being indicative of a number of physical resourceblocks allocated to each one or more carrier frequencies to be used inthe transmission.

In some embodiments, the control channel data further includes a mobilecommunication device bandwidth field, the mobile communication devicebandwidth field being indicative of a radio frequency transmissionand/or reception bandwidth capability of a mobile communication device.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication device is a relay node.In some embodiments, the relay node is configured to reconfigure controlchannel data of the second format. In some embodiments, the wirelesscommunication device is a mobile communication device. In someembodiments, the wireless communication device is a base station.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thusindicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended tobe embraced.

1. A method of transmitting data in a communication system, the methodcomprising: transmitting control channel data of a first format over acontrol channel, wherein the control channel data of the first formatconveys information related to data transmitted within a first frequencyband; and transmitting control channel data of a second format over thecontrol channel, wherein the control channel data of the second formatconveys information related to data transmitted over one or morefrequency bands, the one or more frequency bands having a combinedbandwidth equal or greater than the first frequency band.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of the secondformat over the control channel comprises transmitting control channeldata of the second format over the control channel, wherein the one ormore frequency bands include the first frequency band.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of the first formatover the control channel comprises transmitting control channel data ofthe first format over the control channel with a first bandwidth; andwherein transmitting control channel data of the second format over thecontrol channel comprises transmitting control channel data of thesecond format over the control channel with the first bandwidth.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data of thefirst format over the control channel comprises transmitting controlchannel data of the first format over the control channel with a firstcarrier frequency; and wherein transmitting control channel data of thesecond format over the control channel comprises transmitting controlchannel data of the second format over the control channel with thefirst carrier frequency.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmittingcontrol channel data of the first format over the control channelcomprises transmitting control channel data of the first format over thecontrol channel with a first carrier frequency; and wherein transmittingcontrol channel data of the second format over the control channelcomprises transmitting control channel data of the second format overthe control channel with a second carrier frequency, the second carrierfrequency being a different frequency than the first carrier frequency.6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting control channel data ofthe first format over the control channel comprises transmitting controlchannel data of the first format over the control channel with a firstbandwidth; and wherein transmitting control channel data of the secondformat over the control channel comprises transmitting control channeldata of the second format over the control channel with a secondbandwidth, the second bandwidth being equal or greater than the firstbandwidth.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting controlchannel data of the second format comprises transmitting control channeldata of the second format, wherein the second format includes: a carrierfrequency field, the carrier frequency field being indicative of one ormore carrier frequencies to be used in a transmission; and a physicalresource block field, the physical resource block field being indicativeof a number of physical resource blocks allocated to each one or morecarrier frequencies to be used in the transmission.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein transmitting control channel data of the second formatfurther comprises transmitting control channel data of the secondformat, wherein the second format includes a mobile communication devicebandwidth field, the mobile communication device bandwidth field beingindicative of a radio frequency transmission and/or reception bandwidthcapability of a mobile communication device.
 9. A wireless communicationnetwork, the wireless communication network comprising: a first mobilecommunication device, the first mobile communication device operatingover a first frequency band; a second mobile communication device, thesecond mobile communication device operating over one or more frequencybands, the one or more frequency bands having a combined bandwidth equalor greater than the first frequency band; and a base station, whereinthe base station is configured to: transmit control channel data of afirst format over a control channel, wherein the control channel data ofthe first format conveys information related to data transmitted withinthe first frequency band; and transmit control channel data of a secondformat over the control channel, wherein the control channel data of thesecond format conveys information related to data transmitted over theone or more frequency bands.
 10. The wireless communication network ofclaim 9, wherein the one or more frequency bands includes the firstfrequency band.
 11. The wireless communication network of claim 9,wherein the base station is configured to: transmit control channel dataof the first format over the control channel with a first bandwidth; andtransmit control channel data of the second format over the controlchannel with the first bandwidth.
 12. The wireless communication networkof claim 9, wherein the base station is configured to: transmit controlchannel data of the first format over the control channel with a firstcarrier frequency; and transmit control channel data of the secondformat over the control channel with the first carrier frequency. 13.The wireless communication network of claim 9, wherein the base stationis configured to: transmit control channel data of the first format overthe control channel with a first bandwidth; and transmit control channeldata of the second format over the control channel with a secondbandwidth, the second bandwidth being equal or greater than the firstbandwidth.
 14. The wireless communication network of claim 9, whereinthe base station is configured to: transmit control channel data of thefirst format over the control channel with a first carrier frequency;and transmit control channel data of the second format over the controlchannel with a second carrier frequency, the second carrier frequencybeing a different frequency than the first carrier frequency.
 15. Thewireless communication network of claim 9, wherein the informationrelated to data transmitted over the one or more frequency bandsincludes: a carrier frequency field, the carrier frequency field beingindicative of one or more carrier frequencies to be used in atransmission; and a physical resource block field, the physical resourceblock field being indicative of a number of physical resource blocksallocated to each one or more carrier frequencies to be used in thetransmission.
 16. The wireless communication network of claim 15,wherein the information related to data transmitted over the one or morefrequency bands further includes a mobile communication device bandwidthfield, the mobile communication device bandwidth field being indicativeof a radio frequency transmission and/or reception bandwidth capabilityof the second mobile communication device.
 17. The wirelesscommunication network of claim 16, further comprising a relay node. 18.The wireless communication network of claim 17, wherein the relay nodeis configured to: receive control channel data of the second format;decode control channel data of the second format; reconfigure controlchannel data of the second format, wherein the reconfiguration altersthe information related to data transmitted over the one or morefrequency bands; re-encode control channel data of the second format;and transmit the control channel data of the second format.
 19. A basestation for transmitting control channels in a communication system, thebase station configured to: generate control channel data of a firstformat, wherein the control channel data of the first format conveysinformation related to data to be transmitted within a first frequencyband; generate control channel data of a second format, wherein thecontrol channel data of the second format conveys information related todata to be transmitted over one or more frequency bands, the one or morefrequency bands having a combined bandwidth equal or greater than thefirst frequency band; transmit control channel data of the first andsecond format over a control channel; and transmit data in conformancewith the control channel data of the first and second format.
 20. Awireless communication device, comprising: a transceiver; a processor;and a memory unit communicatively connected to the processor andincluding: computer code that when executed by the processor causes thewireless communication device to receive control channel data; andcomputer code that when executed by the processor causes the wirelesscommunication device to interpret the control channel data, wherein thecontrol channel data includes: a carrier frequency field, the carrierfrequency field being indicative of one or more carrier frequencies tobe used in a transmission; and a physical resource block field, thephysical resource block field being indicative of a number of physicalresource blocks allocated to each one or more carrier frequencies to beused in the transmission.
 21. The wireless communication device of claim20, wherein the control channel data further includes a mobilecommunication device bandwidth field, the mobile communication devicebandwidth field being indicative of a radio frequency transmissionand/or reception bandwidth capability of a mobile communication device.22. The wireless communication device of claim 21, wherein the wirelesscommunication device is a relay node.
 23. The wireless communicationdevice of claim 22, wherein the relay node is configured to reconfigurecontrol channel data of the second format.
 24. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 20, wherein the wireless communicationdevice is a mobile communication device.
 25. The wireless communicationdevice of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication device is a basestation.